Court Reporter Training and Certification

In the United State the training required
to become a court reporter varies by specialization and licensure
requirements are unique to each State.

Court Reporter/Stenographer Education and Training

The requirements for and the amount
of training required to become a court reporter varies with
the type of court reporting chosen. In about a year a person
can become a novice voice writer, and it takes at least two
years to become proficient at realtime voice writing. In
most cases electronic reporters and transcribers learn their
skills on the job. On average it takes about 33 months to
become a realtime stenotypist. Court Reporter training is
offered by about 130 post secondary vocational and technical
schools and colleges. The National Court Reporters Association
(NCRA) has certified about 70 programs, all of which offer
courses in stenotype computer-aided transcription and real-time
reporting. To become NCRA-certified programs require students
to capture a minimum of 225 words per minute, a requirement
for Federal Government employment as well.

In most cases electronic court reporters
use audio-capture technology and can usually learn their
skills on the job. Students can work at their own pace by
reading manuals, reviewing the information with their trainers,
and observe skilled electronic transcribers and court reporters
perform procedures. In most cases electronic transcribers
or electric court reporters generally obtain initial technical
training from a vendor when it is placed in service, with
further court-specific court reporting and training provided
on the job. If working for a private company or organization,
hands-on training occurs under direct supervision of an established
practitioner or court reporting firm.

Court Reporting Licensure - Voice Writers

In some States it is required that voice
writers pass a test and to earn State licensure. As a substitute
for State licensure, the National Verbatim Reporters Association
offers three national certifications to voice writers: Certified
Verbatim Reporter (CVR), Certificate of Merit (CM), and Real-Time
Verbatim Reporter (RVR). By earning these certifications
it is sufficient to be licensed in States where the voice
method of court reporting is permitted. Candidates for the
first certification—the CVR—must pass a written
test of spelling, punctuation, vocabulary, legal and medical
terminology and three 5-minute dictation and transcription
examinations that test for speed, accuracy, and silence.
The second certification, the CM will require additional
levels of speed, knowledge, and accuracy to be certified.
The RVR certification measures the candidate’s skill
at real-time transcription, judicial reporting, CART provision,
and captioning, including in some States Web casting. As
in most cases to retain these certifications, the voice writer
must obtain continuing education credits. Credits are given
for voice writer education courses, continuing legal education
courses, and college courses.

States may require court reporters
to be notary publics. Others states require the Certified
Court Reporter (CCR) designation, for which a reporter must
pass a State test administered by a board of examiners.

To become a court Reporter other qualifications
may be required. In court reporting speed and accuracy are
important, in addition court reporters must have excellent
listening skills and hearing, very good English grammar,
vocabulary, and proper punctuation skills. Good court reporters
must be aware of business practices and current events as
well as the correct spelling of names of people, places,
locations, and events that may be mentioned in a broadcast
or in court proceedings. It is required when working in courtrooms
that an expert knowledge of legal terminology and criminal
and appellate procedure is essential. In some cases because
capturing proceedings requires the use of computerized stenography
or speech recognition equipment, court reporters must be
knowledgeable about computer hardware and software applications.
It is important that voice writers learn to listen and speak
simultaneously and very quickly and quietly, all of the while
they will be also identifying speakers and describing peripheral
activities in the courtroom, deposition room or meeting room.

Types of Court Reporter Certification

Certifications will help court reporters
get jobs and advance in their careers. There are several
associations that offer certifications for different types
of court reporters.

Registered Professional Reporter

The National Court Reporters Association
confers the entry-level designation Registered Professional
Reporter (RPR) upon those who pass a four-part examination
and participate in mandatory continuing education programs.
It is voluntary, and the designation is recognized as a mark
of distinction in the court reporting field.

Court reporters may obtain additional
certifications that demonstrate higher levels of experience
and competency, such as Registered Merit Reporter (RMR) or
Registered Diplomate Reporter (RDR). The NCRA also offers
the designations Certified Realtime Reporter (CRR), Certified
Broadcast Captioner (CBC), and Certified CART Provider (CCP),
designed for those who caption media programs or assist people
who are deaf.

Court reporters can also receive certification
in administrative and management, consulting, or teaching
positions. These court reporting certifications usually require
additional experience and education,

In the United States the US Court Reporters
Association offers other voluntary certification designation,
the Federal Certified Realtime Reporter (FCRR), for the court
reporters that work in Federal courts. The special court
reporting exam is designed to test the basic real-time court
reporting skills of Federal court reporters and is recognized
by the Administrative Office for the United States District
Courts for purposes of real-time certification.

American Association of Electronic
Reporters and Transcribers (AAERT) certifies electronic court
reporters. The AAERT certification is voluntary and includes
both a written and a practical examination. Just to be eligible
to take the exams, candidates must have at least 2 years
of court reporting or transcribing experience, be eligible
for notary public commissions in their States, and have completed
high school. AAERT offers three types of certificates: Certified
Electronic Court Reporter (CER), Certified Electronic Court
Transcriber (CET), and Certified Electronic Court Reporter
and Transcriber (CERT). In some cases employers may require
electronic court reporters and transcribers to obtain certificates
once they are eligible to assure professional and accurate
court reporting.